Mayors in Kansas and Arkansas speak out for the freedom to marry

April 24, 2013

This week, Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, the coalition of mayors from across the country who have voiced their public support for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, continued its expansion. As the coalition grows, it represents a continually wider, geographically diverse array of elected officials united for marriage.

This week, a number of new mayors joined the coalition - including Mayor Lioneld Jordan from Fayetteville, AR and Mayor Barb Shirley from Salina, KS.

With their support, a total of 359 mayors from 35 different states (plus the District of Columbia) have pledged their support with Mayors for the Freedom to Marry.

Mayor Shirley announced her support this week, explaining why marriage matters to her and to the community of Salina, KS. She said:

"I have zero tolerance for any discrimination. As a mother, wife, and community leader, I want people to know that no matter who you are, you are loved and deserving. I want all people to have the same civil rights. United we stand, divided we fall, so I, Barb Shirley, stand for gay rights."

Mayors for the Freedom to Marry launched just over a year ago. In that time, nearly 400 mayors have spoken out in favor of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.

Freedom to Marry was the campaign to win marriage nationwide. With the Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015, the work of this strategic campaign – though not the larger movement – was achieved, and Freedom to Marry wound down its operations, closing in early 2016. For inquiries, please email legacy@freedomtomarry.org.